How to navigate the ‘careers’ conversation with Gen Z

Firstly, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room - no, I am not a Gen Z. 

BUT, I have gathered perspectives and data from Gen Z to inform this post, so it’s kind of like they’re here, too.

As educators, navigating career conversations with Gen Z can sometimes feel like hitting a wall. You ask, “What do you want to do?” or “What are you passionate about?” and get nothing but blank stares or a shrug. It’s a common challenge, especially when students are facing an uncertain and rapidly changing future. 

And there’s one thing for sure - the way the conversation was navigated with us, is not the way that will work with Gen Z. 

Today’s youth need a fresh, more empathetic approach that honours their desire for autonomy, values their mental wellbeing, and recognises the diverse career paths that exist in the current landscape.

How do we effectively guide these conversations around careers?

Firstly, let’s unpack the biggest career myth of all: “Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Really? Do you agree? Because I sure don’t….

I love my job—I love working with young people—and yet, I go to work each day. Some days are incredible, some days challenge me, and some days feel indifferent—and that’s the journey. 

Let’s park this myth right here because Gen Z see right through it (just as we do).

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So, how do we support Gen Z as they enter the unpredictable world of work?

Since we can’t predict every twist and turn in the job market, our focus should be on giving students the tools and mindset they need to navigate whatever comes their way.  It’s (once again) important to acknowledge that the mindset and viewpoints that nurtured our generation through careers decision making - is not the same process that will work for Gen Z. 

Here’s how we can make those career conversations more effective (through a Gen Z lens):

1. Promote Autonomy and Build Trust
   Gen Z highly values autonomy. They want the freedom to explore their own interests and make informed choices about their future. Rather than dictating what careers they should pursue, we need to facilitate their journey of self-discovery. This approach not only respects their independence but also builds trust.

   This means listening first to understand, rather than a prescriptive approach based on favourite subjects or test scores. 

2. Encourage Curiosity Over Passion
   Ahhh, the age-old question, “What are you passionate about?”...

   The Oxford Dictionary defines passion as a “strong and barely controllable emotion.” This is why we can be thoroughly invested in one passion and suddenly shift to another. 

   While knowing what you’re ‘passionate’ about is wonderful, it’s not the foundation to build a career; it’s more productive to nurture curiosities. Asking what sparks interest, what makes you curious, what would you like to learn more about, supports the career exploration process to be more organic and less stressful.

3. Shift the Focus from Money to Wellbeing
   The generational divide is well and truly present in careers - and one of the biggest factors is the shift in mindset to valuing personal wellbeing above money. 

   The traditional focus on financial success as the primary goal of a career is increasingly out of step with Gen Z’s priorities. This generation has seen the pitfalls of prioritising money over mental health and is more inclined to seek careers that offer a balance between work and personal wellbeing.

4. Ask Open-Ended Questions
   When discussing careers, asking open-ended questions and truly listening to the answers is a powerful strategy. Gen Z is incredibly aware of the evolving landscape of careers and inclined toward divergent thinking. This thinking can be guided through establishing what skillset the student needs to develop or is curious about developing that would support the field/s they’re open to.

   Questions like, “What problems do you want to solve?” or “What kind of impact do you want to make?” can inspire meaningful reflection and discussion.

5. Have Compassion and Empathy

   It’s important to acknowledge that the world has changed significantly since we entered the workforce. The challenges, opportunities, and even the job market itself are wildly different. Showing empathy for these realities builds trust with Gen Z and makes it easier to guide students through their career journeys.
   

   One thing we know for sure is that we don’t know exactly what the career landscape will look like in 10 years. We can’t provide students with certainty on that…

   But, what we can do is support building 21st-century learning skills that will be valuable and applicable regardless of how the landscape evolves.

   By embracing these strategies, you’re not just preparing Gen Z for their future careers—you’re empowering them to shape a world full of possibilities where they can thrive on their own terms.

   Together, we can inspire the next generation to build lives filled with purpose, passion, and resilience, creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond the classroom.